Two-wheeled vehicle



(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 1. P. L. PERRY.

I TWO WHEELED VEHICLE. No. 280,235. Patented, June 26, 1883.

WITNESSES a l/V l/E/VTOI? 3 Sheets-Sheet? (No Model.)

P. .L. PERRY.

TWO WHBELED VEHICLE.

Patented June 26, 1883.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

.FRANCIS L. PERRY, OF OANANDAIGUA, NEW YORK.

TWO-WHEELED VEHICLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 280,235, dated June 26,1883,

Application filed December 22, 1882. (No model.)

To all whom It may concern My invention relates to an improvement in Idevices for obviating the characteristic oscillation of two-wheeledvehicles, the object being to produce devices of the characterdesignated, which shall combine simplicity and cheapness of constructionwith durability and efficiency in use.

With these objects 7 in view my" invention consists in certain detailsof construction and combinations of parts, as will be hereinafterdescribed, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a view in perspective of atwo-wheeled vehicle embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view of thebottom thereof. Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of the rear end of one of theshafts. Figs. 4., 5, 6, 7, and 8 are views in side elevation of modifiedforms which the invention may assume, Fig. 9 is a view showing themanner of bending the springs in adapting them for the constructionshown in Fig. 8. Fig. 10 is still another modified form of my invention;and Fig. 11 is a view in end elevation, showing the manner of slottingthe shafts employed in the construction illustrated ,in Fig. 10.

For the purpose of illustration the invention is shown in Fig.1 of thedrawings as embodied in a dog-cart; but it is apparent that it is,applicable to sulkies, gigs, village-carts, and to all two-wheeledvehicles of similar construc tion.

A is the body of the vehicle, the same being suspended in springs B, theforward and rear ends of which are turned inwardly at right angles, andrespectively attached to the cross-bar O of the shafts D and to the rearof the vehicle-body. By constructing and arranging thesuspension-springs in this manner they co-operate with the shaft-springsE, to be hereinafter described, in correcting the oscillations of thevehicle. These suspensionsprings also possess the advantages of beingcheap in construction and durable in use. The said shafts are fulcrumedby bolts F, or by any equivalent devices, to the sides of thevehiclebody, and extend rearwardly from the fulcra, their rear endsbeing provided with open-jaw slots G, in which the forward ends of thesprings E are inserted, and secured in place by bolts I. By providingthe rear ends of the shafts with open slots, as described, the springsare allowed an increased range of vibration, the same being defined bythe walls of the slots, which are cushioned by strips J, of rubberorother elastic material. Thesprings are relativly adjusted with the wallsof the slots by means of nuts K, adapted to be vertically adjusted uponbolts L, extendingthrough the shafts and slots. Loops M, formed bysuitably bending the rear ends of the springs, are

arranged to inclose rubber sleeves N, which receive studs 0, secured tothe outer faces of the upright arms I? of the spring-plate Q, attachedto the bottom of the vehicle-body, the said arms P being provided,respectively, with a vertical series of holes, R, in which the studs 0are raised or lowered, according'as it is desired to depress or elevatethe outer ends of the shafts in accommodating them tohorses varying inheight. When the vehicle is in motion, the rear ends of the shafts areactuated in a constant oscillation, being alternately elevated anddepressed above and below a line passing through them and the studs orbearings O, and inasmuch as this line represents the shortest pathbetween the ends of the shafts and the studs, any deflection from itwill increase the distance between them. For the purpose of compensatingfor this increase in distance, as described, and to avoid the shockwhich would be transmitted to the vehicle if all parts were rigid, thesleeves N and the plate Q, are employed to compensate for thesedeflections, which they do by permitting the studs to move forward ashort distance, the sleeves N acting in virtue of their elasticcharacter, and the plate Q being sprung torsionally, with the effect ofdeflecting its arms forward.

' r In virtue of the arrangement of parts above set forth, the motionwhich the shafts derive from the gait of the horse will be diffusedthrough the springs 13 and E,the rubber sleeves N, and the spring Q andits vibrating arms 1?, the rocking or oscillation of the vehicle beingso far corrected that its occupant is unconscious of it. The inventionis not, however, limited to the use of any particular mode of attachingthe springs to the shafts, nor to any one form of compensating bearing,as evidenced by the proposed modifications.

In Fig. 4 of the drawings the plate Q is dispensed with and its placesupplied by a compensating bearing consisting of plates S, adapted to besecured to the body of the vehicle, and provided with vibrating uprightarms T, supporting studs arranged to pass through the rubber sleeves Nof the springs E.

In Fig. 5 of the drawings the compensating bearings, as a distinctfeature of construction, are dispensed with altogether, a suitable bearing being formed by bending the rear ends of the springs, substantiallyin the manner shown, and attaching them to the body of the vehicle.

Fig. 6 shows another method of bending the rear ends of the springs insuch manner as to do away with separate bearings, the springs being bentin two turns and attached directly to the body of the vehicle. In thisconstruction, in which the shafts may or may not be fulcrumed to thebody of the vehicle, the springs and the cushions are relied upon toabsorb the oscillations of the shafts.

In the construction illustrated in Fig. 7 of the drawings the rear endsof the springs are rigidly secured in the forward ends of auxiliaryshafts U, fulcrumed to the sides of the vehicle-body, the rear ends ofsaid shafts being interposed between spiral springs V, inclosing conicalrubber cushions NV, and mounted in casings X, attached to thevehicle-body. In operation the auxiliary shafts oscillate with the rearends of the ordinary shafts and absorb and diffuse their motion. Of thisconstruction it may be further remarked that the ordinary shafts may befulcrumed to the shafts or not, as found desirable.

The construction illustrated in Fig. 8 of the drawings is constructedwith special reference to giving a wide space between the shafts, whichis effected by securing them to the outer faces of auxiliary shafts Y,which are rigidly attached to the vehieleZ-body by means of springs Z,one of which is shown in Fig. 9, these springs being appropriately bentto permit their forward and rear ends to be respectively secured to theordinary and auxiliary shafts. If desired, thelatter may be dispensedwith and the rear ends of the springs attached directly to thevehicle-body.

The construction illustrated in Fig. 10 of the drawings employsoscillating auxiliary shafts A, the forward ends of which are providedwith cushioned open slots which receive the rear ends of the springs,the forward ends of the same being secured in the slotted ends of theordinary shafts.

It will be observed by reference to Fig. 11 of the drawings that theslots are not cut entirely through the shafts, as elsewhere shown, butthat they are sunk into the inner faces of the shafts, being concealedby the outer walls, B, thereof.

If found necessary, the springs E may be provided with sliding auxiliarysprings arranged to increase or decrease their stiffness.

In view of the modifications herein shown, of other modifiedconstructions of which the invention is clearly susceptible, and of thechanges which must frequently be made, to meet the requirementsresulting from the 0s cillation, of the ordinary practical conditions, Iwould have it understood that I do not limit myself to the exactconstruction shown and described, but hold myself at liberty to makesuch changes and alterations as fairly fall within the spirit and scopeof my invention.

I am aware that it is not broadly new to combine a spring or springswith the rear end of a pivoted shaft; hence I do not claim such acombination, but,

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination, with the body of a twowheeled vehicle, of shafts therear ends of which are provided with open or jaw slots, and springs theforward ends of which are located in the slots of the shafts, their rearends being attached to the vehiclebody, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination, with the body of a twowheeled vehicle, of shaftsfulcrumed thereto and extending rearwardly from the fulcra, their rearends being provided with open or jaw slots, and springs the forward endsof which are secured in the slots of the shafts, their rear ends beingattached to the vehiclebody, substantially as set forth.

3.- The combination, with the body of a twowheeled vehicle, of shaftsthe rear ends of which are provided with open or jaw slots, elasticcushions for the walls of said slots, and springs'located in andextending rearwardly from the slots, and attached to the vehiclebody,substantially as set forth.

4. The combination, with the body of a twowheeled vehicle, of shafts therear ends of which are provided with open or jaw slots, springs locatedin and extending rearwardly from said slots, their rear ends beingattached to the vehicle -body, and bolts extending through the slots inthe shafts and provided with adj ustable nuts, between which the springsare interposed, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination, with the body of a twowheeled vehicle, of shafts therear ends of which are provided with open or jaw slots, springs locatedin and extending rearwardly from said slots, and bearings attached tothe vehicle-body and arranged to support the rear ends of the springs,substantially as set forth. 6. The combination, with the body and shaftsof a two-wheeled vehicle, of springs secured to and extending rearwardlyfrom the shafts, the rear ends of the springs being bent to form loops,rubber sleeves located in said loops, and studs attached to thevehicle-body and extending through said sleeves, substantially as setforth.

7. The combination, with the body and shafts ,of a two-wheeled vehicle,of springs secured to and extending rearwardly from the shafts, and aspring-plate extending across the vehicle-body, and having its endsturned up to form upright arms, and vertically-adjustable studs securedto said arms and arranged to support the rear ends of the springs,substantially as set forth.

8. The combination, with the body of a twowheeled vehicle, of pivotedshafts provided at their rear ends with springs connected to the body ofthe vehicle, and suspension-springs 2o turned inwardly at their ends atright angles, and attached, respectively, to the cross-bar of v thepivoted shafts and to the body of the vehicle, substantially as setforth.

In testimony whereof I have signed this speci- 2 5 fication in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

FRANCIS L. PERRY.

Witnesses:

GEORGE CooK, S. G. NOTTINGHAM.

